What’s in a Post?

So you’re active and posting interesting material on social media, but are your posts aligning with the purpose of the platform? Sometimes, business owners get so caught up in getting the word out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn that they forgot one of the most important factors in determining a post – user intention. While you as a business may be utilizing four or five different social media platforms to get your good news out to the world, individuals are using social media for specific purposes. With social media, what you say is as important as how you say it, so here are our favorite tips for matching your posts to the voice of your platform:

Facebook is ideal for linking out to other mediums, like press releases, blog posts, or pages on your website. Facebook is also a great environment to post ads and solicit likes for your page. Sharing photos and videos on Facebook is a simple and easy strategy to make your way into the client’s living room. Consider Facebook posts to be like a short conversation with a client. You have some time and space, but you are often trying to show or invite your followers to move towards your website.

Twitter is similar, but much more brief. Since tweets are restricted by a character limit, make sure to get your readers’ attention right away and tweet multiple times throughout the day to show up towards the top of news feeds. Utilize #hashtags to target users and spark their interest in your business, industry, product, or service and keep the audience updated on what’s happening right now in your office!

LinkedIn and Google+ are more professional than Twitter or Facebook, but still provide opportunities to interact with your audience. On these platforms, make sure to post updates of advances your business or employees are making in the industry. Highlight advances in technology, new awards, or articles and posts related to your expertise. This will demonstrate your involvement in your community and show clients that you are the informed leaders in your industry.

Instagram is a unique platform that allows you to take full advantage of the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” With Instagram, be sure to take pictures that represent the culture of your business, whether that is fun and creative or classy and sophisticated. Instagram posts can be seasonal and showcase the behind-the-scenes action of your location.

Every social media platform has its own personality. By matching the voice and purpose of social media platforms and your posts, you can better serve your audiences, draw in more followers, and define a clear social media strategy that continually benefits your business efforts.